Total solar installations have increased by five times since 2016

The United States has officially exceeded five million solar installations, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s clean energy transition. This milestone comes just eight years after the U.S. reached one million installations in 2016 — a milestone that took 40 years to achieve following the first grid-connected solar installation in 1973.

According to data released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie today, over half of all U.S. solar installations have come online since the start of 2020, and over 25% have come online since the Inflation Reduction Act became law just 20 months ago. These systems are installed on homes, businesses, and in large ground-mounted arrays across the country.

“Solar is scaling by the millions because it consistently delivers on its promise to lower electricity costs, boost community resilience, and create economic opportunities,” said Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. “7% of homes in America have solar panels, and this number will grow to over 15% of U.S. homes by 2030. Solar is quickly becoming the dominant source of electricity on the grid, allowing communities to breathe cleaner air and lead healthier lives.”

Despite state policy changes, market trends suggest significant growth in states nationwide. SEIA forecasts that solar installations in the U.S. will double to 10 million by 2030 and triple to 15 million by 2034.

The residential sector accounts for 97% of all solar installations in the U.S. This sector has set annual installation records for five consecutive years and 10 of the last 12 years. Residential solar is growing historically because it is a proven investment for homeowners seeking to control their energy costs.

Today, 11 U.S. states and territories have over 100,000 systems installed.

California leads the nation with 2 million solar installations, but recent policy decisions in the state have harmed the rooftop solar market. Several other states are seeing rapid growth. Illinois was an emerging market with only 2,500 solar installations in 2017, and today, the state is home to more than 87,000 solar systems. Florida is another market experiencing substantial growth, increasing from 22,000 installations in 2017 to 235,000 installations today.

By 2030, 22 states or territories are expected to exceed 100,000 solar installations. The U.S. now has enough solar installations to cover every residential rooftop in the four corners states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

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The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), established in 1974, is the American national non-profit trade association of the solar energy industry in the United States. In 2019, the group reported at least 1,000 member companies. SEIA is a 5016 non-profit trade association. SEIA works with 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

https://calmatters.org/environment/climate-change/2024/01/california-solar-demand-plummets/#:~:text=As%20many%20as%2017%2C000%20solar,be%20no%20surprise%20to%20anybody.